Pha That Luang: The Great Sacred Stupa

Pha That Luang, or the Great Golden Stupa, is a magnificent temple and the most important national monument in Laos, located approximately 4km northeast of Vientiane's city center. This sacred site is revered as a symbol of Lao national identity and Buddhism. Legend suggests the site's initial establishment dates back to the 3rd century BC when Buddhist missionaries from India were sent by Emperor Ashoka to Vientiane, bringing a sacred relic of the Buddha.The stupa has undergone numerous reconstructions and renovations due to foreign invasions and natural disasters. King Setthathirath ordered the construction of the current stupa in 1566, six years after designating Vientiane as the capital of Laos. The temple suffered major damage during the Siamese-Laotian wars in the 19th century, leading to neglect. In the 20th century, the French colonial government and the Lao people restored Pha That Luang, completing the restoration in 1956.The architecture of Pha That Luang includes many references to Lao culture and identity. The main stupa is designed in a pyramid shape, approximately 69 meters long and 45 meters high. The stupa is covered with 500 kilograms of gold leaf. The complex is separated into an exterior region and the inside of the stupa. The stupa is surrounded by extensive grounds featuring temples, monuments, and a palace where monks reside and study. Exploring the grounds, visitors can find ancient Lao and Khmer artifacts and statues with Buddhist inscriptions and sculptures.Visitors can explore the architecture and the spiritual ambiance of the temple. The complex also includes two remaining temples, Wat That Luang Tai and Wat That Luang Neua, which represent the glory of the Lan Xang Kingdom.